NHL Status Report: Key Updates and Lineup Changes
Welcome to the NHL Status Report, your go-to source for the latest lineup and injury news across the league. Here's a breakdown of some notable updates and changes as of January 14, 2026.
Ottawa Senators
- Goalie James Reimer could make his first start for the Senators at the New York Rangers on Wednesday. Reimer signed a one-year contract with the team on Monday after a successful stint with the Buffalo Sabres last season.
- Linus Ullmark, who has been skating, remains without a return timetable. He has been out since December 28.
- Hunter Shepard has been sent to the Belleville Senators of the AHL.
Buffalo Sabres
- Josh Dunne will be out for 4-6 weeks with a middle-body injury, but he did not require surgery. He played and practiced through the injury, logging 7:13 of ice time in a loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday.
- Michael Kesselring is close to returning to the lineup, but will miss his sixth consecutive game when the Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.
- Defenseman Zac Jones has been sent to the Rochester Americans of the AHL.
Montreal Canadiens
- Alexandre Texier signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Canadiens on Wednesday. This contract averages $2.5 million annually.
- Texier, a 26-year-old forward, has been a standout since joining the team on November 23, amassing 16 points in 25 games. He was also named to Team France's roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
- The Canadiens will visit the Sabres on Thursday.
Los Angeles Kings
- Corey Perry is out due to a family emergency and will not play against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. He missed two games earlier in January for the same reason.
- With Perry out, the Kings will use 11 forwards and seven defensemen, including Jacob Moverare.
- Joel Armia, Anze Kopitar, and Trevor Moore, who all missed the morning skate, remain out with lower and upper-body injuries.
New Jersey Devils
- Simon Nemec will return to the lineup against the Seattle Kraken after a 5-2 win against the Minnesota Wild on Monday. He replaces Johnathan Kovacevic, who has been playing after knee surgery.
- Devils coach Keefe noted that Nemec's return is a result of careful management, given the team's busy schedule.
Philadelphia Flyers
- Jamie Drysdale has been activated from injured reserve and is available to play against the Sabres after missing three games with an upper-body injury.
- Bobby Brink, who left a game against the Anaheim Ducks on January 6, is questionable for his fourth consecutive game.
Chicago Blackhawks
- Connor Bedard, who missed a game with an illness, is expected to play in the second of a four-game homestand against the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
- Teuvo Teravainen, who missed the final two periods against the Oilers with an upper-body injury, is uncertain for the Boston Bruins game on Saturday.
San Jose Sharks
- Will Smith practiced with contact for the second time on Wednesday but is not ready to return from an upper-body injury for the game against the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
- Defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin and forward Ty Dellandrea, who practiced, are questionable for the Capitals game.
Vegas Golden Knights
- Goalie Adin Hill, who has been out since October 20 with a lower-body injury, could return against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.
- Akira Schmid is likely to start the back-to-back series against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.
- Brett Howden is day-to-day and will likely miss his second straight game on Wednesday.
- Forward William Karlsson, out since November 8, has experienced a setback in his recovery and is week-to-week.
